Ms. Ramirez’s Crispy Pork and Kimchi Sandwich and Ms. Kantner’s La Carne de Cerdo Soup were recently selected as featured recipes in the K12 Crave Collection Most Crave-Able Recipes cookbook, shared with nutrition services pros by school food company J.T.M. The recipes were selected by a popular vote. Jurupa Unified is the only California school district featured in the cookbook. The recipes were featured at the 2023 Jurupa Valley Food Fest and will be showcased soon at district cafeterias.
Both say they loved the challenge of creating delicious dishes that meet the stringent nutrition standards required for school meals.
Ramirez, JUSD’s district caterer, said her dish was inspired by a meal her family enjoys at home that includes a pork chop and kimchi, a traditional Korean food.
While the meal that inspired her recipe usually is served on a plate, “I thought to just put it all on a bun...It's better for the kids to have something handheld. Kids just want to grab and go…and enjoy their friends at lunchtime,” she said.
Ms. Kantner, the cafeteria manager at Troth Street Elementary School, created her soup while looking for a way to incorporate J.T.M. products into a tortilla soup-style recipe. The creation has received positive reviews. She plans to serve the La Carne de Cerdo at her school site once the cooler weather arrives.
Ms. Kantner said creating new dishes for school meals is quite challenging and involves “trying to be a scientist to get a good taste that a student will enjoy eating but yet stay within the healthy guidelines.”
Both women say that while they are thrilled with the positive attention their culinary expertise has received, they most enjoy being of service to students.
“Not a lot of people know that we are so regulated… and we do the best we can, we make it the tastiest we can. That’s what we’re here for, to feed them and make them happy,” Ms. Ramirez said.
Ms. Kantner said that although she created a soup for the recipe contest, her favorite meal is breakfast.
“You can say good morning to (students), make sure they start the day off healthy, and hopefully change a negative attitude to a positive attitude if somebody just cares a little bit about them.”
